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MOH Calls to Avoid CCHF

MOH Calls to Avoid CCHF

28/6/2016

With the oncoming Eid-al Fitr and slaughtering the sacrifice, the Ministry of Health (MOH) calls upon all citizens and residents to be adherence with preventive measures when handling animals; ensuring that animals which have been purchased are free of ticks, do not touch or crush or remove ticks by hand, wearing protective clothing (long sleeves, long trousers) gloves and long shoes when handling animals and their tissues, head to the approved municipal slaughterhouses, as well as proper disposal of the slaughter waste by putting it in bags and throw it designated areas.

It also calls to seek medical advice when feeling any of the symptoms. The Ministry stresses the readiness of all health institutions to receive the infected cases and it is on the highest degrees of vigilance and precaution to receive the suspected cases.

The Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a common disease among humans and animals caused by a virus in the ticks. While its symptoms does not appear in the infected animal, it appears in a very dangerous way in human. Animals like sheep, goats and cows may be infected by tick bites virus and then it could transmit into human either by tick bites or by direct contact with the infected animals blood and tissues during or after slaughtering.

Symptoms appear suddenly after (13) days of infection. It includes fever, muscle aches, dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, back pain, headache, sore eyes and photophobia (sensitivity to light). There may be also nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and sore throat early on, followed by sharp mood swings and confusion. In addition to drowsiness and depression after two to four days. Abdominal pain may concentrate in the right upper quadrant with a significant enlargement in the liver.

Other signs of infection are fast heartbeats, lymphadenopathy and rash or bruises. Usually there are signs of inflammation in the liver. Patients with serious cases may suffering from rapid deterioration in kidney functions or sudden liver or pulmonary failure after the fifth day.